Nico Hülkenberg secured Audi’s best qualifying performance of the 2026 F1 season at the São Paulo GP as he finished the session in P6. However, the German will start two positions higher in P4 as he was able to capitalise on the grid penalties of both George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
It was a strong qualifying for Hülkenberg at the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP as he was able to clinch back-to-back P5 finishes in both Q1 and Q2, which set the stage for his final Q3 performance. This comes after a challenging outing on Friday where the German missed crucial track time due to technical issues with his Audi.
Hülkenberg on the possibility of a wet 2026 F1 São Paulo GP
When asked if he was hoping for rain during the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, Hülkenberg reflected that he no longer manifests for an ideal condition despite his strong reputation for performing well in wet conditions.
Instead, the German would rather make the most of the given conditions and maximise his potential on track.
“I take it as it comes, I stopped a long time ago to wish for conditions. I just take them as they come and try to make the most of it. Yeah, it’s challenging. It was not easy out there, but I’m happy how we came through and had a good feeling with the car from lap one. That’s important around here. So, we’ll see what happens tomorrow and then try to do a similarly good job.”
The F1 São Paulo GP was also a significant weekend for Hülkenberg in 2010, as the German had clinched his maiden and only pole position during his rookie season with Williams.
Hülkenberg was then asked if his 2026 F1 São Paulo GP qualifying performance had brought back any memories. The 39-year-old disagreed due to the drastic difference in the conditions and tyre strategy 16 years ago. By the end of that session, they had gone on to dries.
“No, I mean, 2010, it was like…Especially in Q3, it was quite different. We were on slick. It was half wet, half dry. I mean, there is maybe slight similarities in the weather, but…Yeah, 16 years apart, it’s always going to be different.”
On his qualifying performance
Reflecting on his performance in qualifying at the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, Hülkenberg shared that while his third Q3 appearance of the season was unexpected, he believes his experience at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace did give him an edge above the rest.
“No, of course you can’t expect it, but I had a good Q3. Obviously, I have raced here many times, so I know São Paulo well, which helps the experience in that case. I knew that if I have a good feeling and confidence with the car, it doesn’t cost too much not having run yesterday. Luckily, that was the case today”
